I find city builders to be quite a stressful genre, mostly because I get freaked out as soon as my virtual bank account starts dipping into the red. Every now and then, though, one comes along that looks like it might actually be a calming time, and Synergy looks like it could fill that gap. It’s been out in early access for almost a year now, but developer Leikir Studio announced today that Synergy will be leaving early access and entering 1.0 in just two weeks time on April 16th.
Fortnite is getting a special Nintendo Switch 2 port that should keep those pesky technical issues from keeping players from a win, and the internet is already celebrating its potential.
Epic Games’ trend-setting battle royale showed up during a sizzle reel during today’s Switch 2 Direct to confirm that a new version is in development. What’s more is that it’s planned to launch day and date with Nintendo’s new hybrid console this June, meaning you’ll be able to check out all of the fancy new upgrades (whatever they may be) as soon as you unbox your Switch 2.
Fortnite fans have long complained that the Switch version of Fortnite has too many technical issues, keeping them from enjoying the massively popular free-to-play game on one of the most popular consoles of all time. Examples include drastically downgraded visuals compared to those seen on rival platforms, glitches that impact gameplay, and other annoyances that make it hard to justify spending time playing on Nintendo’s original Switch.
Epic has moved to improve performance in the past, but many Switch owners have found themselves wanting more – and now the Switch 2 is here to answer their prayers. With improved specs – including support for 120fps and up to 4K resolution when docked – Switch 2 will run beefier titles like Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Final Fantasy 7: Remake, Cyberpunk 2077, and many more, and players are expecting to see Fortnite get a significant bump when the Switch 2 launches this summer. It already seems to be running well enough based on its brief time in today’s new sizzle reel, so fans quickly dropped onto social media to share their excitement.
FORTNITE FOR SWITCH 2 AVAILABLE ON RELEASE DAY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WkRpC9fFJ4
— Shiina (@ShiinaBR) April 2, 2025
i just realized fortnite may finally look halfway decent on the switch 2
— Fortnite Furry Bait 😺👑|🐺🦯 (@furry_fortnite) April 2, 2025
i hope the switch 2 makes fortnite easier to play for us switch users. i cant take the choppiness anymore pic.twitter.com/SzBCzcAezA
— jalenciaga | comms open (@jalenciagasart) March 27, 2025
You’ll want to make sure you download that spruced-up Switch 2 version of Fortnite come launch, as Nintendo has already warned that the original Switch version of the battle royale experience may have a few issues when running on the new hardware. It was included in a recently published list of known Switch titles to suffer from drawbacks when running on Switch 2. Though it’s unclear what those issues may be, it sounds like you’ll be fine so long as you’re playing on the Switch 2 version of Fortnite.
We’ll know more about how Fortnite looks, feels, and runs on the new Switch as its launch on June 5, 2025, draws closer. In the meantime, you can check out everything else announced during today’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct right here.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Along with several other big Switch games.
Nintendo has confirmed that select Switch games will receive a free upgrade to improve playability and performance on the Switch 2. Some titles may also receive added functionality for GameShare.
Chief amongst these is Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a release that was widely criticised for its dire frame rate and hilarious bugs when it launched. It’s not known exactly what the upgrade will bring to the table, but we’re expecting some basic improvements to the overall performance.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
For the most part, anything to do with the Nintendo Switch 2 won’t have much to do with anyone in this neck of the woods, but its inaugural Direct did have some goodies for us PC players too. Like, for example, the fact that Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 now have a release date, June 5th (which also happens to be when the Switch 2 comes out but that’s neither here nor there). Mind, this is almost a good seven years after the first chapter dropped, and almost four since Chapter 2 was released, so it’s been a long time coming.
This is something special. See, I didn’t get acquainted with Call of Duty: Warzone until recently, so I missed out on the initial launch of Verdansk back in March 2020, an iconic Battle Royale map that was released at a time when so many of us needed a place to play together online. For many of you, this is a return home – to where it all started. But for those of us, like me, who may have missed out on it the first time, we can rejoin the fray and discover what makes this map so special for so many people when it launches as part of Season 03 of Call of Duty: Warzone on April 3, 2025.
So, for us newcomers who are coming at this “new” map for the first time, I’ll cover some of the key things you need to know about Verdansk, the modes you can expect to play, iconic locations we should check out, and a deep dive into some of the new quality of life features that will be rolling out with Season 03.
The iconic Verdansk map is back and has been meticulously reconstructed to provide an amazing Battle Royale experience for up to 150 players, mixing the iconic gunplay of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, adjusted movement mechanics, and the captivating, signature Warzone gameplay we’ve come to know and love.
Consulting the official Call of Duty Blog, some key areas newcomers should get acquainted with early on include the Lumber, Military Base, and the Train Station. That’s due to their sheer variety of engagement opportunities, like navigating through the maze of barracks looking for loot, hiding between pallets of timber, or battling across sky bridges above train tracks; these all sound like key areas we should check out to get a feel for Verdansk’s variety. You can find a full breakdown on many of the POIs here along with some suggested approaches to each of these key zones.
I’m sure my first couple of forays into these zones is going to be a challenge – many returning players likely have their favorite nooks and crannies on lockdown. But Verdansk was highly regarded for a reason. Even if I may stumble my first time exploring Train Station or Lumber, you can bet I’m going to be looking for ways to establish my own foothold in these “new” areas on repeated visits.
The official Call of Duty Blog also highlights that popular fan-favorite hot-drops will return, including the top of Dam, the roof of Hospital, the Superstore, and the remote Karst River Quarry. We’re told these are key spots to hit up if you’re looking to quickly get into battle and it feels like this is likely to be the case again — might be worth prioritizing these areas on your first drops into Verdansk if you’re looking for a fight. Personally, I’m a bit more cautious. You can find me looting on the outskirts avoiding these areas, at least until I’ve built up some confidence in the map’s layout. Check out the interactive Call of Duty: Warzone Tac-Map on CallofDuty.com to investigate these areas further.
There has also been fine tuning to bring movement more in line with what players experienced in the early days of Call of Duty: Warzone. Season 03 will fine-tune player movement by slightly scaling back some of the speed increases introduced with Black Ops 6‘s Omnimovement system, bringing it more in line with the early days of Call of Duty: Warzone.
We’ll also get access to the Heli along with four ground vehicles – Cargo Truck, Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV), Polaris RZR Pro R 4, and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) — rebalanced in the spirit of the original iteration, with more rapid acceleration and handling. Alongside that, Circle Collapse mechanics (seeing a creeping cloud of acrid gas) will feature Loadout Drops at the second and fifth circles, like the original.
If you’re wondering why all the loot is floating above ground – don’t worry, that’s completely normal. Floating loot makes a return to Warzone in what is being deemed as a “retro refresh” of how it initially behaved. Also, Lethal and Tactical Equipment have been adjusted to be closer to what was formerly available. Here’s a breakdown:
You can look forward to additional content becoming available within these equipment types at mid-season and across future seasons as well. Get a full rundown on all the equipment here on CallofDuty.com.
Newer players can check out an updated version of Call of Duty: Warzone Bootcamp to refine their skills across Verdansk. While waiting for your squad to assemble – or if you want to earn some quick XP by completing missions and earning rewards – drop into a Resurgence-sized section of the map, like the Karst River Quarry, and take down bots of varying skill levels.
Progression is limited in this mode (results will not count against your stats) but expect to receive about half of the normal XP compared to standard Battle Royale. This is definitely an area I’m looking forward to checking out myself once Verdansk drops on April 3. Getting a feel for some of its key zones, and taking out some bots to build my confidence, seems like the perfect way to be introduced to this map – and collecting a bit of XP and earning rewards along the way is a nice bonus. You can get more details on Bootcamp here.
Not everything old is new again – there is some new stuff coming in Season 03 for all types of players, with a wide variety of new Game Modes.
Look for mid-season to introduce additional modes, including the LTM: High Trip with resurgence potential, a special narrator on comms, and gameplay boosts. Full details can be found here on CallofDuty.com.
Season 03 isn’t just about the return to Verdansk, although that is a big part of it. There will also be several additional gameplay enhancements coming to the game. Check out the Call of Duty: Warzone Patch Notes for more information on these and other improvements.
Squad Redeploy at Buy Stations: Got multiple Squadmates ready to return but only a moment to buy them back? Select “Redeploy All” at the Buy Station to bring everyone back with sufficient funds. If short on cash, choose specific players to rejoin the match.
Weapon Inspect to View Attachments: When you acquire a weapon from ground loot, a fallen enemy, or a Loadout Drop, you can now view a list of the attached Attachments at any time by inspecting it. During the inspection, the icon and name of each Attachment are displayed in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This feature can be toggled on or off in the Settings > Interface > Gameplay HUD Menu.
Prioritize Favorite Loadout in Gunsmith: Once you have completed your preferred Loadout in the Call of Duty: Warzone Gunsmith and designated it as Favorite within the Loadout Options, the selected Loadout will be prioritized and positioned at the top of the list.
Tac Map Zoom and Centering Settings: The new Tac-Map settings under “Map Assist” provide various control options: Auto Zoom & Center, Auto Center, Zoom & Center Once, Center Once, and Off. These options offer you different ways to manage your map during the match.
Detailed Death Recap Widget: When you’re eliminated in a match, you see your opponent and a brief HUD message about how they defeated you. The Death Recap will now include more details on gameplay elements used by the attacker. Current and new recaps cover:
Throughout the season, this feature will roll out additional gameplay tracking elements, helping you better understand how you were defeated in combat – and prepare for your next encounter.
Updated Squad Widget (Field Upgrades): In Duos, Trios, or Quads, quickly check the Squad Widget in the bottom-left HUD to see your teammates’ Armor Plates, Gas Mask, Killstreak, and Field Upgrade (or a white dot if none) — this will be more efficient than asking over comms.
Ping Duration Settings: You can now control how long pings stay on your screen, with options to make them disappear quickly or remain longer.
On April 3, 2025, you can unlock free rewards in the Return to Verdansk Event that include the infamous Kali Sticks Melee Weapon, and if you’re lucky you can potentially unlock a special Verdansk-themed Operator Skin for Caine as the ultimate reward! Learn more here.
There will be six weapons available to unlock within Season 03 including the Kali Sticks — as new players let’s be sure to check out additional Verdansk-era originals: the Kilo 141 Assault Rifle (Call of Duty: Warzone download & launch reward), CR-56 AMAX Assault Rifle (Battle Pass Reward), and the HDR Sniper Rifle (Battle Pass Reward).
All-up, there will be a variety of quality-of-life updates for Call of Duty: Warzone like Squad Redeploys at Buy Stations, attachment descriptions at Weapon Inspects, detailed Death recaps, and later in the season, a HUD flag so you know when your Loadout is available to buy. Naturally, there are plenty more revelations, Easter Eggs, and hidden clues to uncover that will be fun for newcomers and veterans alike in Verdansk once it launches April 3, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Battle.net, and with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).
Activision Publishing Inc.
, the massive free-to-play combat arena. Experience thrilling modes & new gameplay features in Area 99, Urzikstan and Rebirth Island.Turn the Heat Up
Welcome to Area 99. This fast-paced and frenetic Resurgence map is ready for nuclear-powered action.
Prepare to take the battle to a massive metropolis in Urzikstan, the Battle Royale map.
Or jump into the fan favorite Resurgence map, Rebirth Island.
No matter where you land, these locales are sure to excite veterans and newcomers alike.
Loot For Rewards
Discover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.
A Game Pass Core subscription is not required to play Call of Duty®: Warzone. All other online modes still require Game Pass Core.
A mobile phone number may be required to be linked to your Activision account to play Call of Duty®: Warzone.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
© 2025 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY WARZONE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2025 Id Software, Inc.
Activision Publishing Inc.
– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
– BlackCell (1 Season)*
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
— 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– Woods Operator Pack
— Includes 3 Operator Skins
– GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 12 GobbleGums of high rarities
– Reflect 115 Camo Pack for use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III and Call of Duty®: Warzone**
— Unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies
Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6.
Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.
The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.
In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.
Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps. With additional content still to come, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.
*Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.
**Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 25th, 2025.
Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.
Activision Publishing Inc.
– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6.
Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.
The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.
In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.
Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps. With additional content still to come, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.
Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.
The post A Newcomer’s Guide to Verdansk for Call of Duty: Warzone Season 03 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Nintendo has confirmed which OG Nintendo Switch games will have issues running on the new Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches on June 5, 2025.
In lists published to the official Nintendo website, the company has revealed which games have “start up issues” on Nintendo Switch 2, and which games can start up but have “some in-game compatibility issues.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there’s very little detail at this stage about each individual game’s issue — most games simply say the problem is “being investigated” — but while it’s to be expected that some games may struggle to make use of Switch 2’s new hardware features, the list does include some surprising titles, including Rocket League, Pizza Tower, Warframe, Fall Guys, and NBA 2K25.
Interestingly, Fortnite is also included on the list, but Nintendo also revealed a bespoke Nintendo Switch 2 version is on the way.
You can catch up on everything announced at the Nintendo Direct today right here.
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
Elden Ring is getting a Tarnished Edition on Switch 2, but you are an enlightened individual who cares not for Switchery – why else would you be reading RPS, a website dedicated to PCs, the very best console of all? Are you some kind of Nintendo fan-enthusiast-zealot, here to gloat about the fact that the Tarnished Edition is a Switch 2 exclusive?
Is that what you think? Well if that is what you think, I’ve got something to tell you. Something that may shock and discredit you. And that thing is as follows: I’m not wearing a tie at all! I mean, the Tarnished Edition’s new stuff is almost guaranteed to turf up on PC at some stage.
At today’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo finally confirmed its highly-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 system will release on June 5, 2025.
While the Nintendo Switch 2 system itself will retail for $449.99, a bundle is also available with Mario Kart World included for $499.99.
If you’d prefer to purchase Mario Kart World separately, however, Nintendo’s recommended retail price for its fan-favorite racer is an eye-watering $79.99.
Up until now, Nintendo only launched one $70 game on the original Switch, and that was the Legend of Zelda: Tears Of the Kingdom. Interestingly, the just-announced Donkey Kong Bananza is $70.
You can catch up on everything announced at the Nintendo Direct today right here.
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
Kirby’s racing spinoff Kirby Air Ride is making a tremendous comeback after more than 20 years, thanks to a new entry for Nintendo Switch 2: Kirby Air Riders.
The project made its grand debut during today’s special Switch 2 presentation, revealing a cast of colorful Kirbys and new spacey vehicles to travel with. No gameplay was revealed, with Nintendo instead choosing to reveal the project with a cinematic trailer and the promise of a 2025 release window. We likely won’t have to wait too long to see how the sequel builds on the original GameCube game, but we can at least rest easy knowing Kirby creator and Super Smash Bros. mastermind Masahiro Sakurai is serving as the project’s director.
The last original new Kirby game was Kirby and the Forgotten Land for Nintendo Switch. This was Kirby’s first adventure in a full 3D perspective, and we gave it an 8/10. We said that it “successfully warps the series’ already fun mix of ability-based combat, platforming, and secret hunting into the third dimension. The post-apocalyptic setting may not be as thematically interesting as Planet Popstar, but it is still lovely and vibrant, with cleverly designed levels that make consistently smart use of Kirby’s abilities.”
You can catch up on everything announced at today’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct right here.
Developing…
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
